Harrisburg High School ASL Students

Washington, DC: Where Deaf Culture & American History Meet

6 Days All-Inclusive From Sioux Falls, SD
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An Experience They'll
Carry for Life

Step into the heart of American democracy and Deaf culture on an unforgettable journey that celebrates both American history and ASL. Your students will walk in the footsteps of presidents, stand before the documents that shaped our nation at the National Archives, and witness democracy in action at the U.S. Capitol.

What makes this trip truly special is the ASL experience. Students will explore Gallaudet University, the world's premier Deaf university where ASL is the primary language, and visit the first Signing Starbucks, where Deaf culture is celebrated and centered. This immersive experience brings together history, civics, and Deaf culture in ways that will resonate with every student.

  • Stand before the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence
  • Explore Gallaudet University and practice ASL in real-world settings
  • Witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • Tour world-class Smithsonian museums and historic monuments
Visitors walking the National Mall in Washington, DC
Trip Highlights

Six Days of Discovery

From the halls of Congress to the galleries of the Smithsonian, every day brings something unforgettable.

U.S. Capitol Building
Government & Democracy

Where Laws Are Made

  • U.S. Capitol guided tour with legislative overview
  • Supreme Court and Constitution exhibit
  • Library of Congress
  • National Archives - founding documents
  • The People's House: White House Experience
Lincoln Memorial
Monuments & Memorials

Honoring Those Who Served

  • Arlington National Cemetery guided tour
  • Changing of the Guard ceremony
  • Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool
  • Vietnam, Korean War & WWII Memorials
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
  • 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
Smithsonian Natural History Museum elephant
Museums & Education

World-Class Learning

  • Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
  • National Air and Space Museum
  • African American History and Culture Museum
  • National Museum of American History
  • Ford's Theatre & Lincoln assassination museum
  • Mount Vernon estate tour
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Day-by-Day Itinerary

Your Week in Washington

Six days of discovery, connection, and experiences your student will talk about for the rest of their life.

1
Day One

Arrival & Evening Memorials

"The moment they step off the plane, the adventure begins."

People visiting the Lincoln Memorial steps

Your students arrive at Washington, DC area airports where a private motorcoach and their dedicated Great Falls Travel tour manager are waiting. After checking into the hotel and a welcome dinner together, the group heads out for their first unforgettable experience: the monuments at night. There's something about seeing the Lincoln Memorial illuminated against the dark sky that stays with a person forever.

  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial
    Walk along the reflective black granite walls inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who gave their lives or remain missing. The quiet power of this memorial creates a moment of reflection your students won't forget.
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial
    Nineteen stainless steel statues of soldiers on patrol emerge from the ground, their ponchos frozen mid-stride. At night, the lighting transforms this memorial into something deeply moving.
  • Lincoln Memorial
    End the evening standing before the 19-foot marble statue of Abraham Lincoln, lit against the night sky. Read the inscriptions of the Gettysburg Address carved into the walls. This is where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered "I Have a Dream" - and the spot where your students' DC experience truly begins.
2
Day Two

The Heart of American Democracy

"Stand where laws are made, where rights are protected, and where freedom was declared."

U.S. Capitol Building

This is the day democracy becomes real. Your students won't just read about the three branches of government - they'll walk through them. They'll stand in the Capitol Rotunda where history echoes from every surface, hold their breath before the original Declaration of Independence, and walk the halls of the Library of Congress where 170 million items tell the story of human knowledge.

  • U.S. Capitol Building
    Tour the stunning Rotunda with its soaring 180-foot dome, view the collection of statues representing every state, and see the historic paintings depicting pivotal moments in our nation's history. If Congress is in session, students may witness democracy in action.
  • National Archives
    Stand in the presence of America's founding documents - the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights. These "Charters of Freedom" are displayed in the spectacular Rotunda, preserved in cases that have protected them for generations.
  • Library of Congress & Supreme Court
    Marvel at the ornate Thomas Jefferson Building - one of the most beautiful buildings in America - then cross the street to the Supreme Court, where students learn how the highest court in the land shapes the laws that govern our lives.
  • The People's House: A White House Experience
    Step inside a cutting-edge immersive museum just steps from the White House. Explore full-scale replicas of the Oval Office and State Dining Room, and engage with interactive exhibits about presidents, first families, and the staff who shaped the Executive Mansion.
3
Day Three

Honoring Service & Sacrifice

"Some places teach you what it means to serve something bigger than yourself."

Rows of white headstones at Arlington National Cemetery

Today is about honoring those who gave everything. Your students will witness the solemn precision of the Changing of the Guard, stand at JFK's eternal flame, and walk among rows of white headstones that stretch as far as the eye can see. It's emotional, it's powerful, and it gives students a connection to sacrifice they can't get from a textbook. The evening is lighter - free time to explore the charming streets of Old Town Alexandria.

  • Arlington National Cemetery
    America's most sacred ground, where fallen heroes from every conflict since the Revolution rest beneath perfectly aligned white headstones. Witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - a ceremony performed with such precision that students often watch in stunned silence. Visit the Kennedy gravesite with its eternal flame.
  • Pentagon 9/11 Memorial & Marine Corps War Memorial
    Reflect at the Pentagon Memorial's 184 illuminated benches, each representing a life lost on September 11, 2001. Then stand before the iconic 32-foot Iwo Jima sculpture, its figures frozen in their historic flag-raising moment.
  • World War II Memorial & Washington Monument
    Visit the WWII Memorial with its 56 pillars and Freedom Wall displaying 4,048 gold stars - each representing 100 Americans who died in the war. Photo stop at the 555-foot Washington Monument, the world's tallest stone structure.
  • Old Town Alexandria
    Wind down with an evening stroll through this charming colonial neighborhood. King Street is lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and restaurants, and the Potomac River waterfront is the perfect spot for group photos and unwinding after an emotional day.
4
Day Four

Smithsonian Museums Day

"Twenty-one museums. Zero admission fees. One unforgettable day."

Elephant exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Today your students explore the world's largest museum complex. The Smithsonian houses 155 million artifacts across 21 museums - and admission is always free. Your guide navigates the highlights so students get the most out of each visit. From the Wright Brothers' original plane to the Star-Spangled Banner to Dorothy's ruby slippers, this day is pure wonder.

  • National Air and Space Museum
    Stand beneath the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer, touch a real moon rock from the Apollo missions, and trace the history of human flight from canvas biplanes to the Space Shuttle. This museum consistently ranks as the most-visited in the world - and your students will see why.
  • National Museum of African American History & Culture
    Journey through the African American experience in this powerful museum - from the pain of slavery through the Civil Rights Movement to the Obama Presidency. Students engage with artifacts, narratives, and interactive displays that tell a story of resilience, triumph, and ongoing change.
  • National Museum of American History
    See the original Star-Spangled Banner that inspired our national anthem, Abraham Lincoln's top hat, and the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. Interactive exhibits on American culture, politics, and social movements make history come alive in ways a textbook never could.
5
Day Five

The ASL Experience

"The day your ASL students have been waiting for."

Chapel Hall at Gallaudet University, a stunning Victorian Gothic building

This is why this trip is different from every other DC tour. Today, your students step into the heart of Deaf culture at Gallaudet University - the world's only liberal arts university designed specifically for deaf and hard of hearing students, founded by Abraham Lincoln in 1864. They won't observe Deaf culture from the outside. They'll live it - signing with student ambassadors, ordering coffee in ASL, and walking through 150 years of Deaf history.

  • Gallaudet University Campus Tour
    Explore the historic 99-acre campus with its innovative DeafSpace architecture - buildings designed from the ground up for visual communication. Tour Victorian-era buildings alongside modern facilities, visit the Maguire Welcome Center, and hear from Deaf student ambassadors about campus life, career pathways, and what bilingual education looks like in practice.
  • National Deaf Life Museum
    Walk through 150+ years of Deaf history, heritage, and advocacy. This museum houses artifacts, photographs, and interactive exhibits that tell the story of the Deaf community's fight for recognition, rights, and cultural pride.
  • Lunch with Gallaudet Students
    This is where classroom ASL becomes real. Your students sit down in the campus cafeteria alongside current Gallaudet students and practice signing in conversation. It's not a performance - it's a real lunch with real people, and for many students it's the highlight of the entire trip.
  • Signing Starbucks on H Street
    America's first deaf-friendly Starbucks, opened in 2018 near Gallaudet University. Twenty-five Deaf, hard of hearing, and ASL-fluent baristas create an immersive signing environment. Students order their drinks in ASL, view the stunning mural by Deaf artist Yiqiao Wang, and experience what it feels like when Deaf culture is centered rather than accommodated. This isn't just a coffee stop - it's a bridge between hearing and Deaf worlds.
6
Day Six

Presidential Legacy & Farewell

"From George Washington's estate to Abraham Lincoln's final night - a day of presidents."

Mount Vernon, George Washington's historic estate

Your final day traces the legacies of two towering American figures. Students start at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate overlooking the Potomac, then visit Ford's Theatre where Lincoln's presidency ended on that fateful April night. It's a powerful way to close the trip - connecting the first president to the one who held the nation together.

  • George Washington's Mount Vernon
    Explore Washington's historic home and beautiful grounds overlooking the Potomac River. The interactive Education Center brings his story to life through 4D theaters and hundreds of original artifacts. Walk through Washington's innovative farm buildings, heritage gardens, and the sobering Slave Memorial that provides crucial insights into the complex history of early America.
  • Ford's Theatre
    Stand in the theatre where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. Tour the museum with authentic artifacts from that fateful night, then cross the street to the Petersen House where Lincoln died the following morning. Your guide brings these events to life and reflects on Lincoln's lasting legacy.
  • Evening Flight Home
    Board the flight home with six days of incredible memories, new friendships, and a deeper understanding of American history and Deaf culture. Your students return changed - more confident, more connected, and more aware of the world around them.
Everything's Covered

What's Included

One price, no surprises. Every detail is handled so parents can relax and students can focus on the experience.

Travel & Accommodations

  • Round-trip airfare from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • All transportation throughout Washington, DC
  • 5 nights hotel accommodations (4 students per room)
  • Professional overnight security patrol

Meals & Activities

  • Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
  • Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
  • All entrance fees and attraction tickets
  • Professional tour manager and local expert guides
  • All tips and gratuities included
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Investment

All-Inclusive Pricing

$2,975
per student, all-inclusive

Flexible payment plans available. Monthly installments begin after enrollment and are managed automatically through the booking portal. No need to track payments manually.

Your Tour Operator

Great Falls Travel

Great Falls Travel is a premium tour operator specializing in educational group travel to Washington, DC. We handle every detail - flights, hotels, meals, guides, and logistics - so teachers can teach and students can experience.

Official partner in the Washington, DC 250th Anniversary Celebration

10+
Years in DC tourism
1,000+
Students traveled safely
24/7
On-trip support
The Fine Print

Terms & Policies

By booking this trip, I agree to the terms and conditions and cancellation policy listed here and at www.greatfallstravel.com/terms

Failure to make final payment or any violation of a Supplier's conditions of purchase may result in cancellation of your reservations. In some cases, there is NO REFUND once a booking is made and under deposit. You may not be entitled to a refund if you change or cancel your travel plans after confirmation of a booking.

All cancellation requests must be sent to GFT in writing. As a result of cancellation, GFT's and third-party Supplier's cancellation penalties will apply.

Non-Refundable Items (forfeited in all cases):

  • $200 deposit
  • Travel protection premium
  • Airline ticket costs

Refund Schedule:

When You CancelRefund Amount
91+ days before departure70% refund (minus deposit, travel protection, airline costs)
31-90 days before departure50% refund (minus deposit, travel protection, airline costs)
30 days or less before departureNo refund

Trip Dates: Late May 2027. Final dates will be confirmed when the school calendar is approved.

Departure City: Sioux Falls, SD

Price: $2,975 per student. Price will be solidified when airfare is available.

Group Size: If group size falls below 20 paid passengers, price may increase.

Ready to Join Us
in Washington, DC?

Give your student an experience that connects their classroom learning to real-world Deaf culture and American history.

Reserve Your Spot Email Sean with Questions